Page 53 of My Greatest Joy

Though I have a feeling it’s far too late for that.

Since it’s Saturday and I have to work, I’ll be leaving Fallon to do her own thing.

Dasher follows me downstairs, and I quickly refill his food and water dishes, then start some coffee and a cup of hot cocoa for myself.

As Dasher darts to the stairs, I see Fallon coming down. She looks like she got fucked into next week and back.

“Good morning.” I smile as Dasher licks her.

“Not sure about that.” She groans, wiping the slobber off the back of her hand. “I think that hard cider crept up on me.”

I chuckle. “It tends to do that.”

Though we both know the way she’s feeling isn’t just from the alcohol.

She sits on the stool and immediately puts her head down over her folded arms.

“Here, drink this.” I slide a cup of hot coffee across the breakfast bar.

“Thanks.” She lifts her head up long enough to blow on it, then takes a sip. “Mm. That’s so good,” she murmurs.

“I still don’t know how you can drink it without milk or sugar.”

She shrugs. “When you’re constantly working like I am or on the road, you learn not to be a basic bitch, or you’ll end up disappointed. At least plain coffee is nearly impossible to screw up unless, of course, it’s instant.”

“You were picky the day after you arrived, begging for caffeine.”

“It was a long journey getting here. Give me a break.”

Smirking, I lean against the counter. Her dark hair is pulled up on top of her head, and tangled strands frame her face. I wrap some behind her ear, taking in how gorgeous she is.

“I, uh…” She averts her gaze to the floor. Then she blinks before meeting my eyes. “We should probably talk about last night.”

I check the time and decide I’d rather be late than wait all day for this discussion.

“Oh, if you’ve gotta go…”

“No, we can chat.” I sit on the stool next to her and give her my undivided attention. By the expression on her face, I doubt her next words will be how mind-blowing last night was even though I know for a fact it was unlike anything either of us had experienced.

“First, I don’t do that…” She waves her arm in the air. “Hookups or one-night stands. At least that’s never my intention. But I want to be upfront and honest with you since we’ll be in the same house for another week.”

I scratch my cheek, not liking where this conversation is headed.

“Sure, of course.” I keep my expression indifferent, the same I use when I tell women a similar talk. I’m rarely ever on this side of the conversation, and I don’t like it.

“What happened last night can’t happen again. It was nice, but I’m here on business, and?—”

“Nice? I’m sorry, but did you just say getting five orgasms wasnice? Puppies are nice. Sunsets at the beach arenice. I think what we did last night goes a little above that threshold.”

A blush forms over her cheeks before she purses her lips into a thin line again. “It wasverynice, but regardless, it was still a mistake. We shouldn’t have crossed the line when I’m leaving soon. I hope you can understand.”

She looks genuinely sad, so I don’t understand why she’d willingly waste the rest of our time together. But I don’t fight her on it. Fallon’s a grown woman, and I’ll respect her decision.

“Sure, I get it. We got caught up in the moment. It’s fine.”

“Really? You’re not upset?”

“Fallon, what kind of guy do you think I am?” I press a fist to my chest, pretending to be wounded. Then I place a palm on her shoulder for reassurance. “If that’s what you want, I’ll act like it never happened, okay?”

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